Nature Play Week: Connect with Nature
Nature Play Week (8-18 April) is an ideal opportunity for early learning centres to engage children in fun and educational activities that connect them with the natural world around them.
We’ve compiled our favourite activities that you can organise in your early learning centre to celebrate Nature Play Week and encourage children to explore, learn, and play outdoors. These activities are not just there to be enjoyed during Nature Play Week. We know the children in your early learning centre will love them all year-round!
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Utilise your outdoor area and organise a nature scavenger hunt where children can search for specific items such as leaves, rocks, flowers, and pinecones. This activity not only encourages observation skills and sensory exploration, but also helps children learn about different aspects of nature. Best of all, it’s free!
Outdoor Storytime
Take storytime outdoors and read nature-themed books under a tree or near a garden. Encourage children to listen to the sounds of nature while enjoying a captivating story. We especially love these nature-themed books:
- Dreamtime
- Fire Picture Book
- Flood Picture Book
- Let’s Learn About Insects
- Sustainability Big Book Pack of 3
- Let’s Learn About Compost
Nature Art and Craft
Provide children with natural materials such as twigs, leaves, and flowers to create beautiful nature-inspired art and craft projects. This activity allows children to express their creativity while connecting with the natural world. Encourage them to discuss the different textures of each natural element and which type of environments they can be found in. If you don’t have enough materials from your own centre to go around, check out our range.
Planting Seeds
Teach children about the importance of plants and gardening by allowing them to plant seeds in pots or a small garden bed. This hands-on activity helps children learn about the life cycle of plants and fosters a sense of responsibility.
Nature Walks
Take children on a nature walk around your centre or to a nearby park. Encourage them to observe different plants, insects and animals while discussing the importance of respecting and caring for nature.
Bug Hunt
Explore the fascinating world of insects by organising a bug hunt activity. Provide children with magnifying glasses and containers to observe and collect small insects such as beetles, butterflies, and ladybugs.
Nature Sensory Play
Take children on a nature walk around your centre or to a nearby park. Encourage them to observe different plants, insects and animals while discussing the importance of respecting and caring for nature.
Outdoor Picnic
Take your break time outdoors and plan a nature-themed picnic where children can enjoy their regular meals surrounded by greenery and fresh air. This activity provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience for children to connect with nature.
These are just a few activities the children in your early learning centre can enjoy to celebrate Nature Play Week. By organising engaging activities that allow children to connect with the natural world, you can inspire a lifelong appreciation for the environment and encourage children to become stewards of the planet.
Tags: learning activities
